October 15, 2026, 3:48 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
Indigenous languages are increasingly at risk of disappearing. Apple aims to help preserve them in the digital world. More than 200 of these languages are now supported on the iPhone. However, simple translations are not enough. Depending on the language, adjustments to characters and keyboards are necessary. The company is therefore working directly with the respective communities.
Apple has been working on these adjustments since 2010
The collaboration began back in 2010. Since then, Apple has been coordinating with representatives of indigenous cultures on how their languages can be represented on its devices. This involves both suitable characters and keyboards and their operation.
Not every language can be easily represented with a standard keyboard. Some, for example, do not require capital letters. Others need specific accents or a different arrangement of keys. The technical solutions therefore vary depending on the language.
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Keyboards are customized for individual languages
An example of this is Nez Perce, also known as Nimipuutimt. The language does not use capital letters. As reported by the online magazine “Wired,” Apple has therefore modified the function of the shift key. Instead of switching to capital letters, it offers accented characters.
There is also a customized solution for Cherokee. On this keyboard, the bottom row of keys changes during typing. Apple has supported Cherokee since the initiative began in 2010, with some features added later.
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With iOS 27, the company has expanded its offerings again. Since then, additional indigenous languages have been supported, including Blackfoot, Comanche, and Northern East Cree.
Digital development increases the pressure
For indigenous communities, it’s about preserving their languages. Chuck Hoskin Jr., chief of the Cherokee Nation, cites historical reasons for their loss, including colonization, displacement, and boarding schools. The increasing digitization adds further pressure today.
Technology alone is not enough. Apple must also consider how communities want to use their own language in development. They ultimately decide how it is displayed on the iPhone and how the corresponding functions should work. This ensures that indigenous languages can continue to be used not only outside of digital offerings but also on modern devices.